Abstract

The metabolism of albumin in patients having nontropical sprue has been evaluated by means of I131-labeled human serum albumin and compared with that of healthy subjects. Studies were made of metabolic nitrogen and calcium balance and of fat intake and excretion. The sprue in the 12 patients investigated ranged from mild to extremely severe with hypo-albuminemia, edema, and hypocalcemia. The immediate response to non-labeled human serum albumin administered intravenously in 4 patients and the long-term response to a gluten-restricted diet were measured.

The intravenously administered I131-labeled human serum albumin had a shortened survival or half-time in the plasma owing to